Flat opening clamshell-style first aid kit

ABSTRACT

A first aid kit with a clamshell-style case is disclosed. The case has a base portion and front and back panels pivotally secured thereto at first and second pivots, respectively. The first and second pivots are aligned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from each other thereby allowing the front and back panels are pivoted away from each other so as to lie in substantially the same plane as the base portion to allow easy access to items within the case.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/573,245 filed on May 20, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to first aid kits, and more particularly, to a kit of first aid items received within a case. The case opens widely and allows items to be logically stored therein so that they are quickly and easily located and accessible, particularly during an emergency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

First aid kits are widely used. The typical first aid kit includes a case containing a variety of first aid items such as bandages, ointments, pain relievers, and the like. These first aid items are usually combined into one to three chambers within the case. Such kits also usually include a separate booklet containing use instructions for the first aid items.

During an emergency requiring use of the first aid kit, an aid giver must open the case and quickly locate the required first aid item from all the items combined within the chamber or chambers. In cases where the aid giver needs instructions on how to properly use the selected first aid item, the aid giver must also locate appropriate instructions within the separate instruction booklet. For example, if someone incurs a severe cut, and an aid giver is unfamiliar with how to best treat it, the aid giver must first locate a recommended treatment instruction in the booklet, and then locate and apply the wound dressing recommended by the instruction. Such activities can take a significant amount of time, which may compromise the effectiveness of the first aid treatment.

Moreover, it many situations, it is desirable for first aid kits to be as small and compact as possible. However, minimizing the size of the kit necessarily reduces the size of the chambers in which the different first aid items within the kit are grouped. Accordingly, a user's ability to quickly locate and retrieve a particular first aid item from the collection of other items within a particular chamber further is compromised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Despite the available first aid kits, there remains a need for an economical and compact first aid kit that stores first aid materials and/or instructions in a logically oriented and logically positioned manner so that they are quickly and easily located and accessed during an emergency. In addition to other benefits that will become apparent in the following disclosure, the present invention fulfills these needs.

The present invention is a first aid kit that includes a case containing one or more first aid items therein. The case has a closed position in which all the items therein are secured within the case, and an open position in which the items within the case are easily viewable and accessible. In a preferred embodiment, the case is a clamshell style that includes a base portion and front and back panels operably secured thereto. Each panel is pivotally secured to the base portion with the pivots being spaced-apart from each other. In the closed position, the front and back panels are pivoted toward each other and secured together toward their distal ends to define a storage chamber therein. In the open position, the front and back panels are pivoted away from each other so as to lie in substantially the same plane as the base portion, thereby allowing the contents of the case to be fully revealed and easily accessible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric front, left view of a first aid kit with a case in a possible closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top, elevation view of the first aid kit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is front, elevation view of the first aid kit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left, elevation view of the first aid kit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the first aid kit of FIG. 1 with the case in a possible open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the case of the first aid kit of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a right side, elevation view of the first aid kit of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the first aid kit of FIG. 5 with the case in a possible open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the first aid kit of FIG. 8 showing a possible orientation and placement of first aid products therein.

FIG. 10 is an isometric front, left view of a first aid kit with a case in a possible closed position in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top, elevation view of the first aid kit of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is front, elevation view of the first aid kit of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a left, elevation view of the first aid kit of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the first aid kit of FIG. 10 with the case in a possible open position in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a portion of the case of the first aid kit of FIG. 14 taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a right side, elevation view of the first aid kit of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the first aid kit of FIG. 14 showing a possible orientation and placement of first aid products therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first aid kit 20 with a case 24 having a base portion 26 with front and back panels 28, 30, respectively, pivotally secured thereto is disclosed in FIGS. 1-17. A first embodiment 20 is shown in FIGS. 1-9 and an alternative embodiment 20′ is shown in FIGS. 10-17.

Preferably, the base portion 26 is pivotally secured to the front panel 28 at a first pivot 32, and the base portion 26 is pivotally secured to the back panel 30 at a second pivot 34. More preferably, the first and second pivots 32, 34 are spaced apart from each other and aligned parallel to each other. Each panel 28, 30 has in inside surface 40 and an exterior surface 42 and includes sidewalls 44 as best shown in FIG. 7. The base portion 26 also preferably includes sidewalls 44.

As shown in FIG. 1, the panels 29, 30 may be pivoted about their respective pivots 32, 34 toward each other so as to define a closed position 50 of the case 24. The sidewalls 44 operably engage each other to define a chamber 52 for receiving the first aid item 54 therein. Preferably, lips extending from the sidewalls 44 operably mesh or overlap each other with the case 24 in its closed position 50. More preferably, a clip 56 is operably secured toward the distal end 58 of one panel to allow the case 24 to be detachably secured in its closed position 50.

Preferably, the panels 28, 30 are formed of a durable, resilient material such as a molded polymer, like plastic or the like. In such case, the case 24 can be formed as a monolithic structure with the pivots 32, 34 being flexible portions of material formed during the molding process.

If desired, a through opening 70 is formed toward the distal ends 58 of each panel 28, 30. Each opening 70 aligns with the other so as to define a handle 72 for carrying the case 24 when the case 24 is in its closed position 50. Preferably, the openings 70 are oval shaped.

As best shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the panels 28, 30 may be pivoted away from each other to define an open position 80 for the case 24. In the open position 80, the panels 28, 30 and base portion 26 are aligned substantially along the same plane 82 to thereby fully reveal the contents of the case 24.

Preferably, the inside surface 40 of at least one of the panels 28, 30 has partitions 84 extending therefrom. The partitions 84 are spaced apart from each other to define storage cubbies 86 for receiving first aid products therein. More preferably and similar to a theater-style seating arrangement at a theater, the height 88 of the partition walls increases from the distal end 58 of the panel 28, 30 towards the base-engaging end 59 of the panel 28, 30 thereby allowing first aid items in the front cubbies 86′ to be lower than items placed in the cubbies 86 behind the front cubbies 86′. Accordingly, when the case 24 is in its open position 50, all of the items in the cubbies 86, 86′ are easily viewable and accessible.

If desired, the inside surface 40 of the base portion 26 can include mounting protrusions 90 extending therefrom. The location and size of these protrusions operably secure a first aid item 54, such as a pair of scissors 54′ and tweezers 54″ as shown in FIG. 9, for easy viewing and access.

More preferably, at least one inside panel 28, 29 includes a pair of spaced-apart protrusions 92 extending therefrom with a resilient member 94 extending therebetween. Accordingly, first aid items 54, such as an instruction manual 54 a or the like can be detachably secured between the panel 28, 29 and resilient member 94 for easy location and access during an emergency.

Referring to FIGS. 10-17, and alternative case 24′ shape is disclosed. In order to reduce repetition, like elements between this embodiment and the previously disclosed embodiment are like numbered. This embodiment features a smaller case 24′ with all of the benefits of the previously described larger case of the first disclosed embodiment.

In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the invention can be applied, it should be apparent that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. For example, while the preferred case 24 is formed of a monolithic structure, the case 24 can be formed of individual components joined together with conventional fasteners or the like. In addition, the floor of the cubbies can be inclined toward the back of the panels, thereby further improving the “theater-style” orientation of the cubbies. Rather, the claimed invention includes all such modifications as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto. 

1. A first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein, said first aid kit comprising: a case having a base portion, a front portion and a back portion; said front portion pivotally secured to the base portion at a first pivot; said back portion pivotally secured to the base portion at a second pivot; and said first and second pivots aligned parallel to and spaced apart from each other to allow the front portion and back portion to be pivoted towards each other, thereby defining a closed position for the first aid kit, and to allow the front portion and back portion to be pivoted away from each other so as to allow the front portion, base portion and back portion to align substantially along the same plane thereby defining an open position for the first aid kit.
 2. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 1, wherein said front portion and said back portion are substantially planar.
 3. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 2, wherein: said front portion is pivotally secured to said base portion as a first end of said front portion, and said front portion has a first distal end opposite said first end; a first through opening extends through said front portion towards said first distal end; said back portion is pivotally secured to said base portion at a second end of said back portion, and said back portion has a second distal end opposite said second end; and a second through opening extends through said back portion towards said second distal end; and, said first and second through openings are substantially aligned when said first aid kit is in said closed position thereby defining a handle said first aid kit.
 4. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 1, further including a clasp for detachably holding said first aid kit is said closed position.
 5. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 1, wherein said base portion, front portion and back portion are integrally formed to define a monolithic structure.
 6. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 5, wherein said monolithic structure is a molded polymer and said first pivot and said second pivot flexible portions of material formed during the molding process.
 7. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 1, wherein said front panel and said back panel each have a substantially planar interior surface, and at least one of said interior surfaces includes a pair of spaced apart protrusions extending therefrom; and, a resilient member is operably secured to said spaced apart protrusions thereby allowing first aid items to be operably secured between the resilient member and said at least one of said interior surfaces.
 8. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 7, further including a second pair of spaced apart protrusions extending from said at least one of said interior surfaces; and, a second resilient member operably secured to said second pair of spaced apart protrusions.
 9. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 1, wherein said base portion includes a substantially planar portion, and first aid items are detachably secured to said substantially planar portion within said first aid kit.
 10. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 1, wherein said front panel has a substantially planar interior surface, and further including: a plurality of partitions extending from said interior surface defining a plurality of cubbies for storing the first aid items therein.
 11. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 10, wherein said partitions have a defined height, and said define height is upwardly increasing from a distal end of the front portion to the opposite end of said front portion.
 12. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 10, wherein said partitions extend are substantially perpendicular to said interior surface.
 13. The first aid kit for receiving first aid items therein of claim 10, wherein said partitions are integrally molded with said front portion.
 14. A case for operably receiving items therein, said case comprising: a base portion; a substantially planar front portion; a substantially planar back portion; said front portion pivotally secured to the base portion at a first pivot; said back portion pivotally secured to the base portion at a second pivot; and said first and second pivots aligned parallel to and spaced apart from each other to allow the front portion and back portion to be pivoted towards each other, thereby defining a closed position for the case, and to allow the front portion and back portion to be pivoted away from each other so as to allow the front portion, base portion and back portion to align substantially along the same plane thereby defining an open position for the case.
 15. The case of claim 14, wherein: said front portion is pivotally secured to said base portion as a first end of said front portion, and said front portion has a first distal end opposite said first end; a first through opening extends through said front portion towards said first distal end; said back portion is pivotally secured to said base portion at a second end of said back portion, and said back portion has a second distal end opposite said second end; and a second through opening-extends through said back portion towards said second distal end; and, said first and second through openings are substantially aligned when said first aid kit is in said closed position thereby defining a handle said case.
 16. The case of claim 14, wherein said front panel and said back panel each have a substantially planar interior surface, and at least one of said interior surfaces includes a pair of spaced apart protrusions extending therefrom; and, a resilient member is operably secured to said spaced apart protrusions thereby allowing items to be operably secured between the resilient member and said at least one of said interior surfaces.
 17. The case of claim 14, wherein said base portion includes a substantially planar portion so as to allow items to be detachably secured to said substantially planar portion within said case.
 18. The case of claim 14, wherein said front panel has a substantially planar interior surface, and further including: a plurality of partitions extending from said interior surface defining a plurality of cubbies for storing the first aid items therein.
 19. The case of claim 18, wherein said partitions extend are substantially perpendicular to said interior surface. 